Newmai News Network
Imphal: Protest against formation of new administrative committees of gram panchayats in six districts in the valley of Manipur is gaining momentum.
Deputy Commissioners of the six valley districts where the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act 1994 extended recently ordered formation of the new administrative committees.
Also read | NPF to Support NDPP Candidate in Nagaland, Mulls Over Outer Manipur Constituency
The committees were formed pending the panchayat elections after the terms of the 5th gram panchayats expired last year.
Elected members of the 5th gram panchayats strongly objected to the formation of the new administrative committees while demanding that they (elected) members should be allowed to continue in the offices until the general elections are held.
In protest against the government move, elected zilla parishad members, pradhans and ward members of Imphal East district along with a large number of their supporters stormed the Imphal East DC office yesterday.
Also read | ‘Scheduled Tribe’ tag is a must for survival of Meetei (Meitei) – Why?
Today, elected gram panchayat members of Imphal West district along with a large number of people staged protest at Changangei pressing for revocation of the order issued by the Imphal West DC regarding the formation of the administrative committee.
During the protest, they demanded resignation of state rural development and panchayati raj minister Y Khemchand while alleging that the formation of the administrative committee violated the rules and regulations under section 22 (amendment) of Manipur Panchayati Raj Act 1994.
“Stop killing democracy” read one of the placards displayed at the protest site. During the protest, the panchayat office was also locked down with a padlock.
Also read | Caches of Arms and Ammunition recovered in strife-hit Manipur
Ayekpam Pishak Devi, an elected gram panchayat member alleged that the BJP led government in the state has murdered democracy by appointing fresh zilla parishad, pradhan and ward members of the gram panchayats.
As per the rules, she said, the elected members should be allowed to function in their respective offices until the general elections to elect new members are conducted.
Similar protests were also staged in Bishnupur and Jiribam districts, reports said.
Also read | GPRN Clamps Down on UNLF’s (Pambei) 10% Demands in Southern Nagalim
The elected members have been protesting against the formation of the new administrative committees under the aegis of the Ad-hoc Committee of all Manipur Elected PRI.
While denouncing the orders of the six DCs regarding the formation of the new administrative committees, the ad-hoc committee is pressing the state government to conduct the pending general panchayat election at the earliest.
According to Section (22) of Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the committee stated that former elected representatives should continue if the government failed to conduct elections.
Also read | Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi Holds 1st Legislative Assembly & Seminar on Inclusive Education in Manipur
This is not a Ukhrul Times publication. UT is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any reports or views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times.
About The Author
